The blues man from Missouri, "Big Joe" Turner, did not get to enjoy a run of hits on the Top 40, but many of his songs remain classics of the early rock and roll era. While they didn't chart, two of his songs are rock and roll Hall of Famers: "Roll 'Em Pete" from 1938 and "Shake, Rattle, And Roll" from 1954. The best he could muster on he chart was "Corrine Corrina," which featured The Cookies and went to #41 in 1956. His only other chart appearance came in 1960 when "Honey Hush" reached #53. "Wee Baby Blues" is a terrific hit that should have been another classic in his roster. The single version, featured here, is as danceable as anything else released at the time. Turner died of a heart attack in 1985 at the age of 74.
While not as well known as The Shirelles or The Supremes, The Cookies were a fantastic girl group from the 60s who also sang backup for the likes of Little Eva, Neil Sedaka, and Carole King. Best known for their #7 hit, "Don't Say Nothin' Bad About My Baby", the group also scored with "Chains" (#17) and "Girls Grow Up Faster Than Boys" (#33). "Will Power" did not perform as well, landing at #72 in 1963. It deserved better - the ladies sound smooth as ever and the buzzing guitar solo always catches me by surprise. Go get their greatest hits!
